Originally Posted by Airhoss

First off “reserve is a choice”... Oh the irony! For anybody who has thought that to be true, let this be a wake up call. And yes I know that quitting is a choice.. Let’s just skip that stupidity and agree that’s not on the table for this discussion. We need a sustainable, non abusive reserve system at this airline ASAP! This is no longer an issue we can put off on the JR. guys and gals and call it a choice or “paying your dues”. Being forced back on reserve and especially for those now forced to commute to it should NOT be a sentence of corporal punishment. We have to fix our abusive reserve system!

In 2008 I was an A-320 Captain based in LAX just prior to the MAD (Merger Announcement Date) I was displaced out of the left seat. It doesn’t matter how long you were a captain or a WB F/O or how many people have been furloughed behind you, for ISL purposes you are where you are on the MAD. Those are the cold, hard facts.

This will be displacement number 7 or 8 ( I’ve kind of lost count) for me and number two off the left seat if it happens. Same circus, same act, slightly different clowns this time.

My guess is that we might well see another round of mergers and acquisitions after this mess is over.

In 2020 I find myself in a very similar situation though I haven’t officially been displaced as of yet, the writing is on the wall. Going on 23 years I will very likely be unable to hold a captain seat anywhere in the company when this all shakes out. Many of our pilots will be on the street.

A merger after massive displacements and furloughs is going to be a major ISL nightmare.

Just some not so random thoughts on this sunny day in May 2020.